Illegal residents keen to update status, says envoy
abu dhabi — The first day of the three-month visa amnesty scheme saw curious people turn up at the embassies in Abu Dhabi.
Bangladesh Embassy on Wednesday saw some 300 inquiries and 40 applications were filed for emergency certificates. Bangladeshi Ambassador to the UAE Muhammad Imran said the number was ‘below expectations’ and will rise in coming weeks.
“We normally have 600 to 800 people coming daily to the embassy for various services. Today, we had an additional 300 people,” he said noting the 40 to 50 per cent additional people seeking amnesty services.
More than 80 per cent of the 700,000 Bangladeshis is part of the working class. “People are still trying to understand the scheme. So we have a leaflet containing details of amnesty scheme’s benefits. When these 800-1,000 people return to their places or labour camps with leaflets the message will automatically reach manifolds,” Imran said.
Out pass rates slashed
Even though 300 people had turned up with queries, the embassy was prepared for a bigger crowd. The three departments of the embassy — labour, diplomatic and passport and visa wing — were on the job from the morning. A special committee of officials categorised cases on a basis like no documents, expired or no passports, expired or no job visas, absconders and those who want to return or stay back.
“If there are no documents at all then the committee tries to find details. The official also crosschecks with departments in Bangladesh. Once we can ascertain nationality and facts, then an out pass will be issued,” said Imran, noting the embassy had reduced rates for outpass from Dh60 to Dh20.
“People were coming from all across the capital but identified Al Sila in the western region and Al Ain in the eastern region as areas with unique cases. There are 1012 cases of those who reached Abu Dhabi illegally crossing Oman border,” the ambassador said.
‘I don’t want to return’
Among the cases was Abdul Jalil Gofur who is staying in Al Ain for 14 years. It was eight years back that the 48-year-old left his job but didn’t take his passport from the sponsor, who filed an absconder case against Gofur. Now he has found a sponsor who can give him a job but then he needs a passport.
An official from the special committee said: “Gofur doesn’t want to go back. We have told him to contact registration centre in Al Ain to cancel his name from the absconders’ list. They will give a paper with his old passport number. We can then initiate the process for his new passport.”
Gofur said he has a big family to feed and can’t imagine going back now. “I hope my misery will end soon.”
People were coming from all across the capital but identified Al Sila in the western region and Al Ain in the eastern region as areas with unique cases.” Muhammad Imran, Bangladeshi Ambassador to the UAE